The botanical distinction between fruits and vegetables goes beyond taste. While melons are fruits, watermelon, scientifically classified as Citrullus, presents a unique case.
According to the dictionary, vegetables encompass anything from plants, including fruits. This culinary classification blurs lines. For instance, peppers and tomatoes, though botanically fruits, are widely regarded as vegetables due to their savory taste.
Legal battles, like the 1893 Nix v. Hedden case, have even reached the US Supreme Court, influencing classifications for taxation purposes.
The USDA further complicates matters, deeming watermelon a vegetable due to its cultivation process, aligning with how other vegetables are grown.
Ultimately, whether watermelon is a fruit or vegetable hinges on cultural and botanical distinctions. But regardless of classification, its deliciousness remains undeniable.